No-one will be watching Fernando Bale’s latest appearance this Saturday night more keenly than Robert Smith.
The gun Victorian (pictured) goes in the fourth semi-final of the Group 1 Hudson Pacific Maturity Classic (525m) at The Meadows aiming for a record-breaking 17th consecutive TAB-level win.
Andrea Dailly’s greyhound equalled the 16-race run of success for NSW greyhound Miss Elly Mint in 2008-9 with his win in last week’s heats – further cementing his status as possibly the sport’s all-time number one.
Miss Elly Miss’s trainer Smith said his greyhound’s magical run still had a huge place in his heart, even if her record is about to be broken by 'flying Fernando'.
“I just wish every trainer had the chance to enjoy a run like that,” the NSW Hunter Valley mentor said. “Even when your greyhound ‘only’ has five or six wins, it’s a magical feeling.
“To have my name forever connected with a greyhound like Miss Elly Mint is a phenomenal feeling.
“It shows that in greyhound racing, if you keep trying then you don’t know what’s around the corner.”
Miss Elly Mint was already a renowned performer for Smith, scoring more than 20 wins before her incredible run started with a 515m triumph at The Gardens in October 2008.
For most of the next four months she was simply unstoppable, scoring 16 consecutive successes racing at the Gardens, Wentworth Park and Gosford.
Her sparkling run included winning back-to-back Group titles over the festive period – the Group 3 Christmas Gift and Group 2 Gosford Cup.
She scored a terrific 29.46 win at the Gardens for her 15th win, before breaking the record with a 29.96 effort at Wentworth Park on February 7, 2009.
Smith, now aged 65, said Miss Elly Mint’s success captured the attention of greyhound racing fans and beyond.
“I had letters of congratulations from three (government) ministers,” he said. “It was unbelievable.
“I'd take her swimming or be walking in the street and people would want to offer congratulations or have pictures with her.
"I even had people say they named their babies Elly after her.
“Greyhound racing was starting to boom at that time and her success was seen as a real positive for the sport."
Miss Elly Mint’s record was broken when she finished fourth over a 520m at Wentworth Park.
She was not done there, though, scoring five more wins from her next six starts before a back injury forced her retirement after winning a 400m at Maitland on April 23, 2009.
Miss Elly Mint finished with an incredible 44 wins from 66 races, including that tremendous 16-race winning streak, and more than $200,000 in earnings.
“For me, it’s not about winning times or where you win,” Smith said. “It’s about the strike rate.
“Was there any secret to her run? I don’t think so.
“I think as long as you keep your greyhounds healthy, sound and happy, they will do right by you.”
Although still proud of his success with Miss Elly Mint, who sadly passed away a couple of years ago, Smith has one regret about her phenomenal career.
“I would’ve loved to have gone interstate with her,” he said. "Her wins were at the three tracks.
“She was a bad traveller though - If I took her anywhere else she would lose a kilo.”
Her record was no fluke for Smith either, who would soon achieve further success with Group 1 winner Lochinvar Marlow.
Although Fernando Bale’s run has prompted some racing fans to declare him the best ever, Smith does not agree.
“Zoom Top is the best for me,” he said. “She could win over any distance.
“At different times over the years we’ve had good greyhounds that push each other on to great things. At the moment there’s maybe a lack of challengers to Fernando Bale, apart from perhaps Dyna Double One.
“He’s not the fastest ever, but he’s the most consistent – and you can’t ask for more than that.”
If Fernando Bale does make it 17 on Saturday night for his trainers, the Dailly kennel, Smith will be first in the queue to offer a handshake.
“The record always had a chance of being broken,” he said. “At least it will be broken by a champion.
“How will feel if on Saturday night if he wins again? I will be happy to congratulate the Daillys.
“It’s a fantastic achievement.”
